Author: Anjianjei Constantine

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called on the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate the Department of Health’s 2025 tender process for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.The demand follows revelations that two of the seven pharmaceutical companies awarded contracts entered business rescue in December — the same month they were expected to begin supplying the life-saving medication.- Advertisement – EFF Member of Parliament Naledi Chirwa raised concerns about the integrity of the procurement process, questioning how financially distressed companies were selected to fulfil critical public health contracts.EFF Demands SIU Probe into ARV Tender Procurement ProcessThe party says it has little confidence…

Members of Parliament have intensified calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to prioritise youth unemployment, urging him to declare it a national emergency.The renewed pressure came during the debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), where lawmakers argued that young South Africans continue to face limited economic opportunities and rising joblessness.- Advertisement – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) sharply criticised remarks by some African National Congress (ANC) leaders who suggested that young people were not doing enough to secure employment. The issue dominated the second day of debate in Parliament, coinciding with the release of fresh labour market…

Former president Jacob Zuma has declared he is prepared to take legal action to reclaim his membership of the African National Congress (ANC), insisting he remains part of the party despite his expulsion.Speaking in Inanda, north of Durban, on Saturday, 14 February 2026, Zuma said he would fight “tooth and nail” to be reinstated and expressed hope that the ANC and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK party) would eventually unite.- Advertisement – He made the remarks during the launch of a book detailing the life of his first wife, Sizakele Khumalo-Zuma.ANC Expulsion: Why Jacob Zuma Lost His MembershipThe ANC formally…

South Africa’s opposition leaders have warned President Cyril Ramaphosa that the pledges made during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) must translate into action — not rhetoric.Following Thursday’s address before Parliament in Cape Town, political parties across the spectrum questioned whether the commitments would be backed by delivery, especially with elections looming.- Advertisement – Ramaphosa’s SONA Under Fire: “Task Teams After Task Teams”Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, accused the president of recycling old commitments.Speaking after the address, Malema said that aside from the announcement that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) would be deployed to gang-affected communities,…

Some of the political parties represented in Parliament have urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to focus squarely on the everyday struggles facing South Africans when he delivers the State of the Nation Address (SONA).Ramaphosa is set to present the annual address on Thursday evening at the Cape Town City Hall.- Advertisement – The historic venue has hosted SONA since January 2022, after a fire damaged parts of the Parliamentary precinct.Across the political spectrum, parties say the President must confront pressing concerns including unemployment, water shortages, crime and economic stagnation.Unemployment, Water and Governance Under the Spotlight at SONAThe uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has issued an apology to Johannesburg residents after facing heavy criticism for suggesting he sometimes showers at a hotel during water outages.The remark, made during a media briefing on the province’s worsening water shortages, triggered outrage on social media. Many residents said his comments appeared disconnected from the daily reality of households that cannot afford alternative arrangements while taps run dry.- Advertisement – In response to the uproar, Lesufi moved to clarify his statement and express regret.‘You Can Smell Me’: Frustration Boils Over in BrixtonTempers flared during Wednesday’s visit to affected areas, with some residents confronting…

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has described the State of the Nation Address (SONA) as little more than a political performance, arguing that it no longer offers an honest reflection of South Africa’s realities.Interim parliamentary leader Des van Rooyen said the party does not expect any significant shift in tone or substance when President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers this year’s address.- Advertisement – This will be Ramaphosa’s second SONA under the Government of National Unity (GNU), where he is also expected to acknowledge the contributions of ministers drawn from other political parties.MK Party Questions Credibility of SONA Under GNUThe MK Party…

John Steenhuisen’s decision to withdraw from the race to retain his position as Democratic Alliance (DA) leader ahead of the party’s elective conference in April has exposed alleged internal tensions at the top of the party.While Steenhuisen has publicly framed his withdrawal as a move to focus on his role as Minister of Agriculture, well-placed sources within the DA say the decision was also shaped by mounting fatigue and a deteriorating working relationship with Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille.- Advertisement – A senior source close to Steenhuisen said the competing demands of party leadership and government responsibilities had become overwhelming,…

Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has rejected allegations that provincial hospitals are facing an overcrowding crisis, insisting the health department has the situation under control and that reports of patients sleeping on the floor are misleading.Speaking to the Sunday Times this week, Nkomo-Ralehoko said the department continued to manage capacity pressures and denied that a lack of beds was forcing patients onto hospital floors.- Advertisement – “The problem is big, but we are managing it as the department of health. At no stage [were people] sleeping on the floor. I have not seen people sleeping on the floor, because even…

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has paid tribute to the late Ekurhuleni MMC for Roads and Transport Planning, Andile Mngwevu, describing him as a courageous leader deeply connected to the people he served.Mngwevu died after the vehicle he was travelling in was swept away by floodwaters in Mozambique, a tragedy that has drawn widespread condolences from political leaders and community members alike.- Advertisement – Addressing mourners at Mngwevu’s funeral service held earlier today at the KwaThema Community Hall in Ekurhuleni, Mbalula reflected on a life marked by service, empathy and decisive leadership.ANC Leadership Honours Andile Mngwevu’s Community ImpactMbalula…